Orientalism & Occidentalism Spring 2004

I. Course Objectives

The objective of this reading-, speaking-, and writing-intensive course is to familiarize students with the emergence of modern nations of Turkey and Iran from the perspective of both history and critical theory. This course further aims to help students analyze the similarities, differences, and interactions between historically and narratively produced knowledge, to investigate differing conceptions of Turkish and Iranian nationality and modernity, and to understand their divergent paths of cultural and political development.

II. Course Requirements

1. Weekly analytical responses to course readings for a total of 6 one-page, single-spaced position papers designed to facilitate participation in the week's discussion. These responses should be made available to other students via e-mail (history@utoronto.ca) 24 hours prior to class meeting.

2. Weekly on-line responses to points and issues discussed in class members' position papers for a total of 6 one-page correspondences spaced over the course of the semester. Dialogic interaction with other students is strongly recommended.
3. Research groups will lead weekly discussions over assigned readings. Groups should provide handouts for class members to facilitate discussion and participation.

4. A memo-proposal describing the final research project, with one-page working bibliography attached. Please include a carefully considered title to be used in the conference program. Due September 29, 2003.

5. A final research paper (10 to 15 pages) making use of frameworks from the course. Students are expected to present their papers in the end-of-semester conference.

6. A writing portfolio consisting of weekly position papers, e-mail correspondences, group presentation handouts, proposal and bibliography, and the final research paper. Due no later than

III. Grades

Students will be evaluated by attendance and participation in the course, cyber discussions, as well as by the quality of their written work. Students who miss more than four class sessions may not pass the course. Percentages will be assigned on this basis:
1. Weekly summaries/analyses: 20%
2. Weekly e-mail responses: 20%
3. Group presentations: 20%
4. Proposal and bibliography: 10%
5. Research paper and conference presentation: 30%

IV. Required Readings

To see a list of required reading materials for this course please download the corresponding word file.